Ozark for All 2010...The Race is On!

Camp Ozark is happy to announce the beginning of Ozark for All, Camp Ozark's "6th Session," a session specifically geared for kids who don't normally have the opportunity to experience things like Camp Ozark.  Many of our OFA campers have never been to summer camp, much less out of the state in which they live, much MUCH less to the woods of western Arkansas!  It is a real joy to host these campers, and the support and enthusiasm of our many wonderful sponsors and donors is a true blessing

On Sunday, around 3:00 pm, 8 buses began to arrive at Camp Ozark, bringing us campers from Houston, Dallas, Nashville and Little Rock.  It would be hard to describe the excitement with which our staff greeted these very special kids...everyone was totally pumped up to meet and get to know our new campers! It would also be hard to describe the excitement we saw the campers faces as well...wide eyed and ready to get things rolling!

After the campers stepped off the buses, they met up with their new cabin mates and counselors, and then headed to the waterfront for swim tests. After the swim test, some campers played basketball and other games, and some just walked around, getting to know their new friends and checking the place out. 

Shortly thereafter, it was time for the call to dinner, where we all enjoyed a fine Opening Day dinner.  Following dinner, it was time for Lifeline, our Opening Day worship service. This high energy, high volume time of singing, dancing, skits and speakers is really special. On the Opening Night, the kids are introduced to our spiritual theme, "Live Life Loud," and the concept of "F.I.T.", First Is Third. Here they learned that placing God first, others second and ourselves third, as taught in the Matthew 22:39, is the way to "win" in life. The kids really enjoyed singing the songs and hearing Sam, the owner of Camp Ozark, speak and are looking forward to the next few nights of Lifeline.

After Lifeline, it was time for Western Night! This party (we call them "Special Events"), of course, is based on a country/western theme, and featured lots of fun music, a hay ride, a wild bull ride (technically a barrel suspended by some chains, but you get the idea), Tumbleweed Tag, horse rides, and, most important, the Pig Chase! The campers had a great time dancing, riding the ponies, tangling with the wild bull, and chasing the little pigs. We closed it all out with some special songs, including the ever-popular Chicken Dance, and the Hoedown Throwdown.  Yes, Western Night was awesome!

Finally, after a long and eventful first day, we all headed back to the cabins for showers and cabin devotionals, a time of Christian sharing between the counselors and the campers. This brought our first day to an end!  Be sure to check in tomorrow for another update!